Trinity - Life (1980)

Also released as Have a Little Faith in Jamaica, this Linval Thompson produced album is solid. Trinity is a well known, old-school DJ. He has a nice smooth style and on this album he is riding riddims played by the Roots Radics. The backing vocals on these versions is usually (but not always) Linval Thompson (who is a first class singer and producer in his own right!). Overall, this album is filled with great melodic rhythms for Trinity to chat over. Definitely made for those their reggae hard and rootsy. Should you get this if you are new to reggae?  Let me put it this way. If I told a reggae collector that I have a Trinity record DJ'ing over Linval Thompson riddims played by the Roots Radics, they would buy it immediately. If you find this album in a used bin or new (since the Abraham label appears in record stores all over) buy this.

Robert Ffrench - The Favourite (2019 repress)

Robert Ffrench's first album gets the repress treatment from French label, Patate Records. Originally released on the Black Solidarity label back in 1985, this is a solid if not spectacular release. Robert Ffrench is a fine singer who is comfortable singing over roots and lovers riddims. Maybe not a must have in terms of key reggae albums to own but the collectors and the deep reggae enthusiasts will either already have this or gobble this right up. A bit of a warning. My copy sounds very crisp and distorts at the high-end. Some will be bothered by this and should maybe play a copy before committing to buying a copy.

The Sleepwalkers - Roots Rockin' with (2016)

This is a fun record. The Sleepwalkers, hailing from the San Diego area, are a great mix of rockabilly, rocknroll, and cumbias. A great CD for parties. Highly recommended for those that want a fun listen.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Spacegirl and Other Favories (2003)

If you are not familiar with The Brian Jonestown Massacre (BJM), you would not be alone.  BJM is basically the work of Anton Newcombe. He has been recording as BJM since 1990. He is still recording and putting out great rock'n'roll that seems to be pretty influenced by 60s psychedelic and garage rock with lots of fuzz. His songs always seem to find a great melodic riff that burns in your brain. Because of the nature of his music, I often find myself sort of "grooving out" or "spacing out" when his music is playing. It is like being in a trance. This collection of songs were recorded by Anton on his own when we had access to a recording studio from midnight to 10 am every day.  Apparently, Anton would write and record these songs while playing all of the instruments. Years later, he decided to release this set of songs. Lucky Us! Most of these songs were recorded just a little after BJM recorded their first LP called Methadone. For a taste of what BJM sounds like, take a listen to the great Hide and Seek. Great groove.

There is a great music documentary about BJM and The Dandy Warhols that is a must watch. It will also explain a bit why I did not spend a lot of time trying to explain BJM.  Just watch the documentary Dig. Check out the trailer

Book: Swim Through the Darkness by Mike Stax (2016)

Written by Mike Stax of the great website and magazine, Ugly Things, this book tells the story of Craig Smith's descent into madness. Craig Smith was an all-American, clean-cut boy whose singing career took off after landing a spot as part of the Good Time Singers that appeared weekly on the Andy Williams Show in the 1960s. Craig eventually left the Good Time Singers and was a successful songwriter (i.e., writing for Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, and the Monkees), and even landed a lead role in a critically acclaimed television pilot about a three member folk group in NYC. For all practical purposes, Craig Smith's life was going well. However, during a trip to India (did he ever get there?), Craig was brutally beaten and likely suffered significant damage to his brain. Craig eventually made it back to Los Angeles but it really wasn't the same Craig that left.  Craig came back and told people to call him Maitreya Kali. In addition, Maitreya developed a messiah complex. Eventually, for many years, Craig/Maitreya lived on the streets of Los Angeles.  He eventually died on the streets in 2012. Mike Stax details his journey in trying to find Craig with the hope of understanding what happened to the man who gave us not only his own solo music (i.e., two solo albums released in the early 70s as Maitreya Kali) but also the music of his 60s band, Penny Arkade. Highly recommended.

Various Artists - Come Join My Orchestra: The British Baroque Pop Sound 1967-73 (2018)

What is Baroque Pop? Well, it is sound that can be described as the merger of psychedelic music and lush orchestral arrangements that includes flutes, oboes, harpsichords, recorders, and french horns. Think of Sgt Pepper by The Beatles and Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. This 3 CD clam box compilation of British baroque pop is another gem from the Grapefruit label. There are more than a few standouts like Harmony Grass' Mrs Richie. Bands like The Move, The Zombies, and Honeybus are represented but fortunately the large majority of the songs on this compilation are new to me( and probably to you as well). This fact makes getting this set and listening to it a fun adventure. Check out John George's Goodbye for another sample of the baroque sound.

The Resonars - No Exit (2019)

Just another great record of melodic goodness from Matt Rendon. Matt, who is based out of Tuscon, Arizona, has been putting out records since 1997 as The Resonars. Matt also owns a  studio in Tuscon (Midtown Island Studio) that he uses to record bands both local and from outside of Arizona.

 Matt writes crisp, melodic song with a 60s vibe. He has a knack for a catchy hook. However, this music is not bubblegum or light in any way. Matt's songs and records have a power to them, Some of the songs actually pack a wallop but always with a well defined melody. Is it psychedelic or power pop? It is a combination of both. Here is an example. Listen to Louise Tonight